Let me start out by saying that serving the community has been one of the most rewarding and challenging experiences of my life. It has been not only a pleasure to be your mayor but an honor. As I prepare to exit my position for my new career that awaits me in Michigan, I am reminded of the many people that have been by my side and supported me though out my years in politics. To the residents thank you for trusting in me not only to serve as your mayor but as your ward B councilperson and for that I will forever be thankful. To the village council members, my staff, local politicans and the press where do I begin to even thank you. You have all been a blessing and I have enjoyed every minute spent here in Northfield. It is because of all of you that I will never forget my many years of service here and that the village will forever hold a special place in my heart. Great things will continue to happen with or without me. It’s always been about progressing the village forward with pride and commitment no matter who is left in charge and it will always be that way.
To those who are no longer on this earth and there are many I say thank you for everything. Then there are three that really stand out in my mind. Mayor Carmen Consolo thank you for all your support, confidence and helping me run for mayor. Council President Beatrice Greenlee thank you for being such a wonderful mentor and friend. Councilperson Joe Buzz thank you for your caring words, encouragement and believing in me. I can still hear Mayor Consolo saying I am proud of you and Joe Buzz say your doing a great job and then Beatrice Greenlee say go get em. I want to say to the three of you that I am proud, we did great and we got em. To all of you no longer with us I know you are all looking down upon me with such delight and pride of a job well done. I honor all of you as you honored me and I know that you are all right here with me tonight in spirit. All I can say is that I am the mayor I am today because of all of you and thank you so very much for everything.
To everyone present and in the community, it has been an honor serving you for the past 17 years and I know that after I have exited that council and the mayor will keep working towards our goals to better the village for not only today but for tomorrow all while keeping the beautiful vision of Northfield alive. In the end I know that I have served my community well and I am an extremely proud mayor.
My last day will be effective the end of the year and from now until then I will be helping to transition the council president to her new role. Planning for the 2022 budget will be preformed under the direction of the incoming administration and please give her time because she’s going to need develop her team. Thank you.
